Rae Burrell Dropped a Career-High 22, But The Sparks Shot 30.8% And Their Season Is In Trouble

Alright, you gotta see what went down in L.A. last night. The Las Vegas Aces straight up *owned* the Sparks, pulling off a 79-69 victory to kick off their Commissioner's Cup run! A’ja Wilson was an absolute beast, dropping a massive 25 points and snagging 15 rebounds, just completely dominating the court. Honestly, the Sparks looked lost out there, especially with their season-low 30.8% shooting from the floor. This team is 4-5 now, and without their star Kelsey Plum, things are looking rough.

Aces Are Rolling With Wilson Leading the Charge

Let's talk about the Aces, because they are legit. They came into this game after bouncing back from a two-game losing streak that actually started with a home loss to the Sparks, so you know they wanted this one. And did they ever get it! A'ja Wilson was simply unstoppable with that 25-point, 15-rebound double-double. But it wasn't just her. Jackie Young piled on with 16 points and nine assists, and Chelsea Gray wasn't far behind, adding 12 points while dishing out 11 assists. Talk about a balanced attack! The Aces shot a solid 44.9% from the floor overall, taking a 14-10 lead after the first quarter by holding the Sparks to a measly 23.1% shooting. They stretched that lead to 31-16 in the second half, and by halftime, they were up 37-30, with Wilson already having 13 points and eight rebounds. Las Vegas never really looked back, building a 57-42 lead in the third and cruising into the fourth with a 64-51 advantage. When the Sparks tried to make a late run, Wilson shut it down with a three-point play. That's a team that means business. They've been to the Commissioner's Cup final twice in five seasons, even winning it all in 2022. These guys are contenders, plain and simple.

Sparks Are Struggling Without Their Superstar

Now, for the Sparks. Man, it’s tough to watch right now. They fell to 4-5 and are a dismal 1-2 since losing guard Kelsey Plum, who sprained her right ankle in practice last week. Plum is their go-to scorer, averaging a whopping 26.8 points per game, and her absence is glaring. Despite the team's struggles, Rae Burrell had herself a night, putting up a career-high 22 points. Nneka Ogwumike also chipped in with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. But even those individual efforts weren't enough to overcome the team's terrible shooting, especially that 30.8% season-low. They showed a little fight, pulling within 35-30 late in the first half and then to 43-38 in the third, but the Aces always had an answer. To add insult to injury, Burrell had to be helped off the court after the final buzzer with an apparent right ankle injury. This is a team facing some serious adversity. The Aces are looking strong heading towards the Commissioner's Cup final on June 30. For the Sparks? They desperately need Kelsey Plum back on the court, and fast. If they can't figure out how to score consistently and defend better, this season could get away from them real quick.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.